Harshaw Chapel and Cemetery and a Little Presidential Scandal!
Harshaw Chapel and Cemetery in Murphy North Carolina is a tranquil piece of history right in the middle of town.
Built in 1850, it sits majestically on a hill overlooking the town of Murphy.
Harshaw Chapel and Cemetery is now under the control of the North Carolina Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution. In 1984, it was added to the National Registry of Historic Places.
Of course, every piece of history has to have a little “mystery” attached to it as well and
Harshaw Chapel and Cemetery is no exception! It is rumored that Abram Enloe, who is buried in the cemetery, was actually the biological father of Abraham Lincoln.
You see, his mother Nancy Hanks was a servant in the Enloe household over in Rutherford County, North Carolina. Having been taken in by the family as a servant, it caused quite a stir in the Enloe household when Ms. Hanks became “with child”. Mr. Enloe did not live in Murphy but was visiting family here when he took ill and passed.
All scandal aside, Harshaw Chapel and Cemetery is a great place to visit. The cemetery is small and you can roam freely around and take in all the headstones. Many date back to the late 1800’s to early 1900’s. Some are as recent as the 1960’s
Make sure and take time to
visit this very historic place whenever you’re in town!
Cyndi
Comments(8)